Progress in Processing Initial Applications for VA Benefits
- October 26, 2013
- elderlaw
- No comments
A recent Washington Post article shows signs of progress in VA’s efforts to reduce the more than 800,000 claim backlog. Director Thomas Murphy reports that “the number of pending cases has decreased by 74,000 over the past 45 days.” VA…
Are VA benefits taxable?
- April 20, 2012
- elderlaw
- No comments
Military Retirement pay is taxable income like all other similar retirement income. Military retirement pay is paid through the Department of Defense, Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS). The pay stub will have DFAS in the address of the…
VA Aid and Attendance Pension Increase
- December 5, 2011
- elderlaw
- No comments
After 2-years of no cost of living adjustments for VA Pensions, effective December 1, 2011, Veterans and surviving spouses will see the following increase in Pension awards:Married Veteran & Spouse: $2,200 Single Veteran: $1,704 Surviving Spouse: $1,094 Spouse of a…
What happens to a pending claim when the veteran dies?
- January 12, 2011
- elderlaw
- No comments
If a veteran has made a claim for veteran’s benefits and then, unfortunately, passes away, the claim does not necessarily “die with the veteran.” In certain circumstances, qualified individuals may still apply for accrued benefits up to, but no later…
Veterans Career Training
- March 19, 2010
- elderlaw
- No comments
The Military Order of the Purple Heart now offers job training to combat wounded and disabled Veterans through the Veterans Vocational Technical Institute (VVTI). Candidates accepted into the program are trained for the virtual Purple Heart Call Center (PHCC)…
What a Veterans Fiduciary Cannot Do
- February 18, 2010
- elderlaw
- 2 Comments
A fiduciary is someone who has undertaken to act for and on behalf of another in a relationship of trust and confidence. A fiduciary is expected to be extremely loyal to the person to whom he owes the duty (the “principal”):…
Veterans Benefits – Who qualifies?
- January 16, 2010
- elderlaw
- 5 Comments
Most people think of veterans benefits as being only for servicemen and women who were wounded or disabled while serving in the armed forces. By and large, that is true. But we have learned that there are substantial benefits that…